Today, Wednesday, Lithuania announced that it had purchased air defence systems for Ukraine while receiving an envoy from the Vatican regarding the settlement. Moscow stated that it has suspicions that the West is sending military personnel to Kyiv.
Lithuania stated that it has purchased two Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine and will deliver them within 3 months, according to the government.
This announcement coincided with the arrival of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Kyiv on Wednesday for talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Nauseda stated on Facebook that “NASAMS launchers will arrive in Ukraine in the near future.” In a separate video recording, he said, “Even in such circumstances when supplies run out, we find opportunities to help our friends.”
Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas emphasized that the deal’s value is 9.8 million euros ($10.7 million).
Zelensky, on Twitter, expressed his “gratitude” to Nauseda and said, “This is an important contribution and comes at the right time to protect the skies of Ukraine and save the lives of Ukrainians. Together for victory.”
Lithuania will also send 10 M113 transport armored vehicles to Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense stated that Lithuanian military aid (including ammunition) will amount to over 500 million euros.
On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that “there are suspicions that a group of Western countries is sending military personnel belonging to their forces to Ukraine under the guise of mercenaries.”
Earlier, Russia warned the West against continuing to arm Ukraine, stating that it leads to an escalation of the conflict.
